Kids with cancer to get holiday joy

ALISO VIEJO – When twins Brooke and Breelynn Ingraham read Jessie Rees' posts on Facebook about never, ever giving up in her fight against inoperable brain tumors, they were awed by Rees' courage and motivated by her message.

They followed Rees' fight, but even more, they wanted to help make a difference. In January, Rees, 12, lost her battle to cancer, but her dream – to give each child fighting cancer in the U.S. a JoyJar – has lived on.

On Monday, the Ingraham twins from Mission Viejo were among a group of more than 50 people who watched as 20,000 JoyJars from the Jessie Rees Foundation were loaded on UPS trucks in Aliso Viejo. They were two of hundreds of volunteers who had spent weeks stuffing the JoyJars. The jars will be distributed to children in hospitals nationwide for the holidays. In all, more than 45,000 children will have received JoyJars this year from the Rancho Santa Margarita-based nonprofit.

The effort was aided by contributions from UPS and Anthem Blue Cross of California. UPS helped with logistics and the use of its facility, trucks and drivers. It also donated $40,000 and contributed more than 300 volunteer hours this year. Anthem Blue Cross came on board to help the foundation when it learned of Rees' story. The health insurance provider helped create 1,500 JoyJars as part of the company's celebration of its 75th anniversary.

Each JoyJar holds 15-20 new, age-appropriate toys for a kid with cancer. Rees came up with the JoyJar idea while she fought her tumors. She wanted children facing similar battles to have some joy while they underwent treatment.

Rees and her parents founded the NEGU Foundation, which stands for Never Ever Give Up. That will forever be the foundation's motto, said Rees' father, Erik. The foundation's name was officially changed April 8, which would have been Jessie Rees' 13th birthday. Rees began distributing JoyJars herself in 2011 until her death this year.

With Monday's shipment of 20,000 JoyJars, the foundation passed its 45,000 mark and is well on its way to 50,000, Erik Rees said. Jessie Rees inspired tens of thousands of Facebook fans around the world. She turned her illness into a chance to rally for other children with cancer.

"Today, with the amazing support of UPS, Anthem Blue Cross and thousands of compassionate people, we are sending out close to 20,000 of these special Holiday JoyJars," Erik Rees said. "We will end this year with over 45,000 JoyJars sent to kids in 196 children's hospitals, 175 Ronald McDonald Houses and kids in 49 states. We also have been able to reach kids in 11 countries. With over 250,000 kids fighting globally, we have lots of joy to spread each day."

Athletes such as Olympic gold medalist Kaitlin Sandeno of Lake Forest and 2012 Olympic gold medalist Matt McLean have jumped on board to distribute JoyJars. Nick Punto, a Dodgers infielder, will distribute jars to children at UCI Medical Center in Orange on Dec.4.

For Kenneth Cherry, president of the UPS Southern California District, the charity seemed a perfect fit. UPS' health-care operations has a motto: "It's a patient, not a package." Cherry also had a personal connection. His grandmother, who raised him, died from cancer.

"It's important to give back not only by volunteering but financially," he said. "It's important we stay connected to the community. We're giving back to someone who is doing something that's important to his family and it's also something that is important to mine."

Brooke Ingraham, 11, stuffed more than 50 jars at the Joy Factory in Rancho Santa Margarita.

"It makes me feel good that other kids with cancer can get joy," she said. "I want them to know they are extra-special people and they that should never, ever give up."